The Biggest Difference Between Dental Implants and Dentures

If you’re missing multiple teeth, you should know that you are not the only one. In fact, nearly 70% of U.S. adults aged 35 to 44 are missing at least one or more teeth based on data from the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. It’s completely reasonable to choose a denture, but you’ll want to keep dental implants in mind as well. Why? The biggest reason by far is due to the jawbone preservation that dental implants provide, which dentures do not. Here’s what that means for your smile and long-term oral health.

When Teeth are Lost, Bone Breaks Down

The moment a tooth is lost, the bone underneath it can begin to atrophy, which essentially means break down and deteriorate slowly over time. As this occurs, it becomes increasingly more difficult to perform specific functions with your mouth, such as chewing, grinding, and tearing hard or chewy foods. The problem is many people assume that just because they are missing one tooth that it means they can continue their daily habits without interruption. However, bone deterioration happens rather quickly, making it important to replace teeth as soon as possible.

Dentures Only Go So Far

It is true that dentures are not only effective at replacing teeth affordably, but they work to prevent neighboring teeth from shifting out of place following the extraction (which is the mouth’s natural way of compensating for open space in the mouth.) However, dentures do not address the underlying bone tissue that sits underneath the gums. This means that despite wearing a denture, the bone tissue will continue to break down and reduce the jaw’s biting force.

This is where dental implants come in, whether you want to replace a single tooth or use them to hold a dedicated prosthetic!

How Dental Implants Offer Complete Replacement

Dental implants are designed to mimic the tooth root, which is removed right alongside the crown portion of the tooth during an extraction. This root is responsible for ensuring the bone inside the jaw holds the tooth in place and remains intact for decades to come. Thanks to the implant’s biocompatible material, (in most cases titanium), it can easily bond with existing bone and soft tissue over the course of several months.

Once fully healed, you can expect many benefits that you won’t find with traditional dentures. For example, you can expect:

• Significantly improved biting strength to eat your favorite foods
• Incredible stability, ensuring no slipping or shifting while in use
• Designed to last for 30 years and longer with proper care

When you want the most reliable tooth replacement out there that matches your natural teeth as closely as possible, it’s hard to compete with dental implants. Call a dentist today and see if treatment is right for you!

About the Author

Dr. David Earnest loves getting to know the needs of his patients, putting their minds at ease, and building relationships with them that last a lifetime. Not only does he have many years of experience placing dental implants, but he’s currently a part of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. This way, he can stay actively updated on the latest advancements in modern tooth replacement via dental implants. To schedule an appointment with his office, you can contact him through his website.